Role of Power Hardware in the Loop in Modeling and Simulation for Experimentation in Power and Energy Systems

The area of modeling and simulation is a critical aspect in the basic research to commercialization and instantiation cycle. This paper reports on modeling and simulation in the context of verification, validation, and experimentation of power and energy systems and associated electrical apparatus via the utilization of power hardware in the loop (PHIL)-based strategies. PHIL is a powerful technique for testing and demonstration of systems in a rigorous and dynamic manner that is not achievable with other methodologies; however, it must only be conducted with foreknowledge of the technique and its challenges in order to realize its significant benefits. This paper reports on the state of the art in PHIL and its challenges and presents sample case studies illustrating its impact.